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What Our 3-Year Old Taught Me About Speaking Life Into Others

As a parent, I’ve never felt more helpless than I did last Thursday. Sitting in the ER watching the nurses inject the anesthetic into our daughter’s head, trying to do what little I could to comfort her, but there was nothing I could do.

Only an hour before, she’d been playing and enjoying her day. Now, after falling and splitting the back of her head open, she was exposed to a previously unknown level of pain. She reacted like you would expect a three-year old to react: She cried and resisted.

That’s when a kind and gentle nurse named Gina came in. She wasn’t fake as the previous nurse had been. Aracelli can see right through that. But she was genuinely nice and helped Aracelli to calm down. Just moments later, she was all stapled up and ready to go home. What happened next spoke life into Gina.

Leaving the ER

As we were leaving the ER, Aracelli looked over the nurses’ counter and said to the kind, gentle nurse:

“You’re such a nice girl.”

Five simple words. That was all.

“Thank you” would have sufficed. “I appreciate your help” would have worked. But instead she complimented her very character. She spoke life into her.

The simplest words can be life-changing, if only you speak them. Don’t hold back!

Gina’s face lit up and so did that of others around her. And as we left, some of the shock of the day wore off. My face, too, lit up.

I believe that something on the inside of that nurse came alive in that moment. I believe that five simple words from a three-year old could be life changing.

Best Day Ever

Just a day earlier, while on a call with my friend, Mark Sieverkropp, Aracelli walked into my office. As is often the case, Aracelli wanted to say hello to Mark. At the end of their brief conversation, she told Mark something that spoke life into him.

Here’s how Mark puts it:

I was told today that I had made someone’s day the “best day ever” and that it was “awesome” to talk to me.. Thx Aracelli. @MattMcWilliams2

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Great post, Matt. It really is amazing how much we can learn from the innocence and authenticity of children.

Let’s Grow Leaders

Ugh, I’m so sorry you went through that. Sebastian broke his arm this summer. There’s nothing worse than watching your child in horrible pain. It says a lot that she took the time to “speak life” into the nurse. I wish grown-ups would take time to do that. We’re far more quick to complain than compliment.

Love this post Matt! As folks can gather from the post, I’ve experienced Aracelli’s kindness first hand. She is wonderful at making your feel great. She’s a very special little girl and a great example to me!
In my role in my church I’ve found myself with many more opportunities to see all the little things that other members do to lift burdens and help one another. I try to go out of my way to let them know that I appreciate it and that they are great examples to me. It’s neat to see how people visibly brighten up when you go out of your way to let them know that you appreciate them and let them know that something they’ve done has affected you!
Thanks for sharing Matt!

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